Haley says she's not dropping out: 'I feel no need to kiss the ring' of Trump

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is vowing to stay in the 2024 Republican primary race despite being rejected by voters in the few early states so far and continuing to trail rival Donald Trump in numerous polls.

But as Haley said in a speech on Tuesday in South Carolina, her home state, she will be continuing her campaign because she believes her message is important and more voters deserve to be «heard.»

«Of course, many of the same politicians who now publicly embrace Trump privately dread him. They know what a disaster he's been and will continue to be for our party. They're just too afraid to say it out loud,» Haley told supporters in Greenville.

«Well, I'm not afraid to say the hard truths out loud. I feel no need to kiss the ring. And I have no fear of Trump's retribution. I'm not looking for anything from him,» she continued, drawing applause. «My own political future is of zero concern.»

South Carolina will hold its GOP primary, the next big race in the nomination fight, on Saturday. «But on Sunday, I'll still be running for president. I'm not going anywhere,» Haley said.

According to 538's polling average, Haley trails Trump by more than 30 points in South Carolina. She is behind by similar margins in other states.

Haley has repeatedly pointed to the fact that only a few states have voted so far in this year's GOP nominating race, though she has lost in every election so far — including in Nevada, to «none of these candidates.»

«People have a right to have their voices heard,» Haley said on Tuesday. «And they deserve a real choice.… We don't anoint kings in this country. We have elections.»

She made a similar case for herself during a campaign stop in Greer, South Carolina, on Monday night, telling her supporters she